Freedom running

More than 1,000 people celebrate Independence Day in Loveland Liberty 5K Run and Walk

By Cris Tiller Sports Writer

Posted:
07/04/2013 06:03:08 PM MDT

Runners take off at the start of the Loveland Liberty 5K Run and Walk on Thursday outside Grimm Brothers Brewhouse in Loveland.
(
Steve Stoner
)

People in Colorado tend to celebrate things a little differently.

Maybe it has something to do with the state's near perfect climate or perhaps more with the beautiful scenery almost everywhere you look. But the fact is people in this state like to celebrate outdoors-and actively.

So on the day of the year where proud Americans honor the country's birthday, more than 1,000 Coloradans, and a few out-of-state visitors, did so with the Loveland Liberty 5K Run and Walk.

"It was cool to have such a great turn out for just its second year," top overall finisher Craig Depperschmidt said. "(Running on Independence Day) is awesome. It's a great tradition to have I think. It's an awesome turnout and it's good to see all these people come out on their holiday."

Depperschmidt is an avid racer at events in Loveland and Colorado, and has other first place finishes under his belt like the Loveland Sprint Triathlon in 2011. He finished with a strong time of 17:09, six seconds ahead of the next closest runner. Even more impressive was his pace of 5:32 per mile.

"I'd always like to go a little faster, but I'm happy to finish strong and come out with a win," he said. "The course was nice and flat, and I think it's a cool, nice loop and a nice finish where you can sprint and really see the finish line."

All proceeds from the event, which started last year and hopes to continue every Independence Day, go to the Life for the Innocent charity, which helps children in India who fall victim to human trafficking.

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"Last year we raised over $12,000, so we were able to save 12 kids," race director Jacob Fellure said. "So that changed 12 kids' lives forever and I'm hoping with this year's turnout we should do the same, if not better. We want (this race) to be a tradition for the Fourth of July for the people of Loveland"

Top female finisher Riley Cooney is making the Liberty 5K into a tradition of her own.

The junior at Mountain View High School ran the event in 2012 and placed third, but improved her time to 18:46 to take the victory in 2013.

"I wasn't trying to do anything spectacular, I just wanted to go out and get a good training run in. It's all for fun," Cooney said. "I wanted to see what I could handle and how hard I could push myself. I'm excited for when the season and school starts."

Cooney is using the summer to work on transitioning from track to cross country, which involves running more miles per race.

The Liberty 5K is something Cooney believes she will do every year because of the experience more than anything.

"These races are always so much fun because of the atmosphere and the great cause for people to support," Cooney said. "They are just so passionate about what they do, so it's fun to come out and support them and see people rep the red, white and blue."